James Baldwin : Pessimist, Optimist, Hero – Blog #1

Article :  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/arts/design/james-baldwin-david-zwirner-exhibition.html

I am intrigued by the life of James Baldwin.  A few years ago, I found the writings of him and, although I haven’t gotten a hold of any of his novels yet, I still see all that he has accomplished in his life as inspirational and powerful.  Something that I would love to adapt as a journalist one day.  He used his voice to fight and to help people understand the struggles they wouldn’t be able to without hearing the story of another. He paved the way for many people of colour as well as queer people, serving as an icon for both groups of minorities.   The writer of this article showcases that anybody can have an open mind and understand the hardships of others without relating to them personally.  His writing personal and idiosyncratic.  For humans, there has existed such a separation between different groups solely based on differences, an action that has ignited the most bitter of wars and conflicts.   This article though is proof that through literature and the sharing of trials and tribulations, we can begin to truly understand what it is that separates us from the next.  This can be seen in many worldly events.  When an interviewer invites someone to interview, for example, an interviewer like Oprah Winfrey, this is an invitation to the public to begin to understand.  This article for me was a journalist opening himself up to trying to understand the compelling, intriguing life and mind of no other than James Baldwin.